Cycling: 'Holy Week' of cyclo-cross is here

They come from as far away as Europe, New Zealand, Australia and across the United States on a pilgrimage to New England.

Thousands of devoted faithful actively participate; even more worshippers come to observe the rituals.

And if you have not yet found religion, then maybe cyclo-cross will set you free.

"The Holy Week of cyclo-cross" is upon us.

Six cyclo-cross races in Massachusetts and Rhode Island over a short span of 12 days have come to be known as the Holy Week of American 'cross. Four of the races are prestigious weekend events that offer large purses and points in international racing, as well as in national and regional series. These competitions attract top pros from across the globe to New England, which is considered the pre-eminent region of cyclo-cross in the United States.

Holy Week kicks off with the Midnight Ride of Cyclo-cross on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Fairgrounds in Lancaster. The 15th annual Gran Prix of Gloucester at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester includes two race days — Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29. The Night Weasels Cometh takes place Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Ski Ward in Shrewsbury.

The Providence Cyclo-cross Festival at Roger Williams Park in Providence also has two race days — Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6.

With so many elite cyclists racing in a short amount of time in the hotbed of American cyclo-cross, the "Holy Week" moniker was born.

"Some would consider New England the epicenter of cyclo-cross in the United States. We thought these events kind of capture that," said Gary David, race director of The Midnight Ride. "Holy Week encapsulates the spirit of cyclo-cross in New England."

The term "Holy Week of Cyclo-cross" was coined by Chip Baker, one of the directors of The Night Weasels Cometh, while a few race organizers were having coffee.

"It was like three people, me, Paul Boudreau, the promoter of Gloucester, Chip Baker and Gary David, who was launching the Midnight Ride. We were all playing hooky from our jobs, our wives and our kids, watching the Tour de France at the Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington in July of 2011, the year in which both Providence and Gloucester were upgrading to (UCI) Cat 1 status," according to Richard Fries, event director of the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival.

According to Fries, the name stuck and went viral. "It's even used by pro riders in Europe," Fries said.

Cyclo-cross is a fast-growing, fan-friendly sport. It is a 30- to 60-minute race on a bicycle similar to a road bike but the tires are a little wider and have more tread for traction on the often-muddy terrain. The short course usually has grass, gravel and asphalt sections, and includes barriers such as hurdles and steps that sometimes force a rider to dismount and carry the bike over the obstacles.

According to Fries, cyclo-cross has grown 250 percent since 2005, and the Northeast is the No. 1 region.

"It's hard to explain to people how big cyclo-cross has grown. The growth in 'cross has been staggering, certainly greater than any other aspect of cycling," Fries said. "It's such a great spectator sport. It's the ultimate spectator sport, and it's typically free."

The Gloucester and Providence events are the most prestigious races and draw the top pros. Entering its 15th year, the Gran Prix of Gloucester has a long tradition. These events draw thousands of racers and as many as 8,000 spectators a day.

But if you can get to only one race, the best event would probably be the elite men's race at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in Providence. The UCI C1 race offers a $10,000 purse and a chance for more money from the other two series in which the race is involved, as well as international points.

"It will be off the hook," Fries said.

Two of the "Holy Week" races take place under the lights in Central Massachusetts.

The Midnight Ride of Cyclo-cross is entering its third year. About 230 racers participated in 2011 and approximately 270 last year. David said he is hoping to continue the growth and hit 300 this year.

"The first year was a complete leap of faith," David said, recalling the decision to hold a Wednesday night race before two of the biggest cyclo-cross events in the country. "If people are coming in to do these (Gloucester and Providence) races, it makes sense to do the midweek races."

The Midnight Ride course features some fast turns, moderate elevation changes and two barrier sections. There is a section that goes down a hill, makes a 180-degree turn at the bottom, then turns back upward. However, the course is known for the fast wood chip turns in the sheds area of the Fairgrounds in Lancaster.

In keeping with the religious nature of "Holy Week," David plans to offer a blessing of the bikes, similar to blessings offered by the Pope at the Giro d'Italia.

David said some cyclo-cross racers can participate in two or three divisions at the Midnight Ride. Since some cyclo-cross racers are crazy enough to compete in three divisions, David said, the race offers the King of the Apples Triple Crown Award, sponsored by Adam St. Germain. The male and female racers with the lowest combined times in three races receive the award.

"It is a horrible idea to do three races, so of course we made it a contest," David said.

The Midnight Ride is also offering a two-day clinic with European cyclo-cross champion Helen Wyman (Great Britain) of Kona Factory Team. Participants can sign up for one or both days. The first day of "High Tea with Helen" will focus on the basic elements of cyclo-cross and will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Fairgrounds. The second day, from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, will focus on course pre-riding, tire selection and race prep.

Organizers of The Night Weasels Cometh, held Oct. 2 at Ski Ward in Shrewsbury, daringly planned a night race and jumped into the Wednesday after the Gran Prix of Gloucester and before the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival in 2010.

"There was nothing in New England happening at night and we got a date between the two biggest races in New England," said race director Colin Reuter of Northampton, who organizes the race with Baker and Sara Bresnick. "Cyclo-cross is a lot of fun and doing things in the dark makes it more exciting."

Night Weasels has been drawing about 350 racers a year, according to Reuter. He said since the race is not a UCI event, it is difficult to attract the very top pros who are so focused on Gloucester and Providence.

However, he said Wednesday is the perfect time for a hard training day before the weekend so “you might as well put on a number” and race.

Reuter said the elite men's race has been won every year by Justin Lindine, a former New Salem resident who has moved to Utah. Lindine, a top-10 ranked pro, plans to defend his title this year, according to Reuter.

The Night Weasels course offers a hilly terrain more challenging than some racers would like, according to Reuter, but the 1.2-mile loop is spectator friendly.

“Drinking beer sitting on the deck in front of the ski lodge you can see a quarter to a third of the race. That’s pretty good entertainment,” Reuter said.

The racing begins at Ski Ward at 4:30 p.m. Elite women race at 7:30 p.m. and elite men at 8:30